There are times in all of our lives when difficulties and challenges cause us to have a low mood, reduced positivity, and increased sadness. Our mood is affected by a variety of things, including issues around us, within us, and a whole host of other direct and indirect causes. For 450 million people worldwide, the cause is mental ill health (World Health Organisation, 2011).

When friends, family, and loved ones are experiencing a low mood and sadness, we want to make them feel better, whether that’s due to mental ill health, or another difficulty they are currently experiencing. In most, if not all cases, we can’t solve their problems, but we still feel the urge to make a positive difference to how they feel.

Changing how someone feels, in a positive way can often be done by small things. For example, making someone a drink and offering a non-judgemental listening ear, or helping them to get the appropriate professional support they require. On occasion, we have to assist or encourage from a distance due to limitations such as geographical location, or other practical restriction, but unanimously we want to help.

Little Book of Mindfulness: An easy way to gently let go of stress and be in the moment. This little book is something your hug receiver can take with them everyday, providing simple 5-10 minute daily exercises to improve mindfulness.

Relaxing candle: The calming effect of candlelight can be a simple yet valued tool to help reduce stress and increase self-awareness. Benefits are further increased by selected scented candles, or merely by scent preference.

Chamomile tea: Chamomile is historically known for its calming properties. It is extremely effective at helping with anxiety, and insomnia – a common symptom associated with depression.

Relaxing gel eye mask: The challenges of modern life can be sources of discomfort and pain, including migraines, eye strain, muscle tension, and illness. The relaxing gel eye mask can ease the pressure and pain of these problems, by heating or cooling the mask to suit the problem.

Dark chocolate: Mental health and mood improvement because dark chocolate has the ability to boost brain levels of endorphins (natural opiates) as well as serotonin (a mood-altering chemical on which many anti-depressants act).

Relaxing bath salts: These relaxing bath salts can balance the emotions, and help to combat mental fatigue.

‘Get Support Now’ allows the hug receiver to find out about a wide range of services that can assist with their problem (via our QR code, or by directly accessing our website support page). Many of the services offer 24/7 access to helplines, and other support.